As the Bay Area continues to be threatened by wildfires, here are tips to ensure the safety of your pets:

In the event that your area is evacuated, never leave pets behind to fend for themselves. They are not any better equipped to survive disasters than humans are.

Know your destination ahead of time. Shelters for human victims often do not allow animals, but motels in the area will likely accept them in an emergency. Call in advance and find out which ones will accommodate you and your animals.

Never leave animals unsupervised in a car -- they can panic and try to escape or suffer from heatstroke once temperatures.

Place small animals in secure carriers. Dogs should be leashed with harnesses because frightening sounds and unfamiliar surroundings may make them bolt and strangle. Take water and food bowls, your animal's favorite toy or blanket, a towel, and enough food for at least one week.

Make sure that dogs and cats are microchipped, and put legible ID tags with your phone number on them so that your animal companions can be found if they get separated from you.